Rotary engine.



ROTARY ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I, 1908.

Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

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W. H. REEGE.

ROTARY ENGINE APPLIoATIoN FILED JUNE 1, 1908.

Patented'Mar. 2, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.,

,Li /fm Q57 W. H. REEGE. ROTARY'ENGINB.

APPLIUATION FILED JUNE 1| 1908.

Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

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UNITE STATS FAFNT OFFIQF.

WILLIAM II. REEOE,

OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF 'IO J. B. LEGG,

OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 2, 1909.

Application led June 1, 1908. Serial No. 436,115.

T o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lViLLiAM I'I. REECE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rotary Engines, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to a rotary engine utilizing elastic fluid as the driving means, and the object of my invention is to construct a simple, inexpensive engine which f plates comprises a minimum number of parts, that may be readily assembled or taken apart; and which engine is economical in its consumption of steam, compressed air, or other elastic fluid used in its operation.

A further object of my invention is to provide simple means for reversing the direction of rotation of the piston in the engine, together with means for accurately regulating and governing the delivery of fluid pressure to the piston chamber.

To the above purposes, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rotary engine of my improved construction; Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken through the center of the engine; Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4 4 of Fig. 8; Fig. 5 is an elevation of a sleeve which incloses the inlet valve ofthe engine; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the inlet valve; Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in section, showing a portion of the valve positioned in a portion of the sleeve; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the rotary piston of the engine.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings :d1 designates the engine base,

and supported thereby is a pair of mating 2, which are rigidly fixed to one another by means of bolts 3, and which plates form the housing or body of the engine. Formed between the plates is an annular chamber 4, in which the piston of the engine operates, said piston comprising a head 5, circular in cross section, of such size as to snugly 'fit in the chamber 4, and said head being provided with packing rings 6. This head is carried by the outer portion of a plate 7, which is rigidly fixed on the engine shaft 8, said shaft being arranged for rotation in bearings Q formed integral with the plates 2. Formed integral with the plates 2, on one side, are extending portions 10; and arranged to slide horizontally through slots 11 formed in said extended portions in alinement with the center of the shaft 8, is a plate 12, the inner end of which bears against the edge of the plate 7. Fivotally secured in a recess 13, formed in the center of the plate 12, is one end of a link 14, the opposite end of which is ivotally connected to the upper end of a ever 15 which operates in an opening 16 formed between the extending portions 10; and said lever being pivoted at its lower end to a pin 17, which is transversely arranged in the lower portion of the opening 16. An exhaust pipe 16a leads from the lower end of the chamber 16. Fivotally connected to the lever 15 is a short horizontally disposed link 18, to the opposite end of which is pivotally connected a circular block or head 19, which is arranged to slide in a horizontally disposed opening 20 formed between the extensions 10; and located in said opening and bearing against the block 19 is an expansive coil spring 21. Arranged for rotation in the upper portions of the extensions 10 is a transversely disposed sleeve 22, the ends of which extend beyond the side faces of said extensions; and fixed on one extended end is a nut 23, and on the opposite end is fixed a handle 24. Formed through this sleeve, at the approximate center thereof, is an aperture 25; and formed within said sleeve, and communicating with the aperture 25, is a groove 26.

27 designates an elastic fluid pipe, which is tapped into the extensions 10 and communicates with the aperture 25 in the sleeve 22. Formed in the under side of the sleeve, at equal distances on each side of the center thereof, are the triangular ports 28 and 29,

lwhich are reversed in position relative one another; and formed through one of the extensions 10 and leading from the port 28 through the corresponding extension 10 is a port 30, which leads to a point between the extensions 10, immediately below the center of the plate 12; and said ort 30 communicating at this point witi the chamber 4. Leading downward from the port 29, through the corresponding extension 10, is a port 31,

which leads to a point between said extensions, immediately above the center of the plate 12', and at this point said port communicates with the chamber 4. Arranged for rotation in the sleeve 22 is a rotary valve 32, and formed therein is a longitudinally dis osed groove 33, of such length as to establlish communication between either one of the ports 30 and 31 and the annular groove 26 and arranged in the valve 32, adjacent the ends of this groove 33, are packing rings 34, which prevent the escape of fluid pressure between the valve and the sleeve.

35 designates a bracket 'fixed to the side of one of the extensions 10, the upper end of which bracket is bifurcated, as designated by 36; and arranged for rotation in said bifurcated upper end is a hub of a beveled pinion 37, ,which is mounted to rotate with the valve 32 by means of a feather 38 sliding in a groove 39. l Formed in the end of the valve 32, outside the Groove 33, is an annular groove 40, in which operates a pin 41, carried by a hand lever 42 fulcrumed at either end in such a manner as to readily shift the valve longitudinally in the sleeve.

Fixed on the end of the shaft 8, on the same side of the engine with the beveled .pinion 37, is a beveled pinion 43, and ar ranged for rotation in suitable bearings 44 fixed on this side of the engine is a shaft 45, on the ends of which are fixed beveled pinions 46 which mesh with the pinions 37 and 43', thus providing means for imparting rotary motion from the shaft 8 to the rotary valve 32.

Arranged for rotation in suitable bearings, immediately above the port 30, is an exhaust valve 47, the opening in which is adapted to communicate with an exhaust ort 48 leading from the chamber 4 above t e inlet port 30; and leading from the housing, directly o posite the port 48, is an exhaust pipe 49, wiich leads to the chamber 16. Arranged for rotation in suitable bearings, immediately below the discharge end of the inlet port 31, is an exhaust valve 50 g and leading from the opening therethrough and communicating with the chamber 4 is an exhaust ort 51 and said port being extended from tie opposite side of the valve to the lower portion of the chamber 16. The ends of both exhaust valves 47 and 5() project beyond the housing of the engine on the same side with the valve operating mechanism; and fixed on said extended ends are short cranks 52, the crank pins of which pass through slots 53 formed in a hand lever 54 fulcrumed on a pin 55 seated in the engine housing at apoint halfway between the exhaust valves.

The operation of the engine is as follows: Assuming that the steam inlet valves and exhaust valves are set as showny in Figs. 2 and 3, and that steam or compressed air is passing through the pipe 27, the piston 5 and the shaft 8 of the engine will be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow A, (Fig 3.) The steam or com ressed air discharges from the pipe 27, tirough the aperture 25, into the annular groove 26 and passes from thence through the groove 33 in thel rotaryV valve, and discharges from the end thereof through the triangular port 29; and from thence said steam or air passes through port 31, and discharges therefrom into the chamber 5 immediately above the plate 12; The steam or air thus delivered to the chamber 4 expands in the usual manner, and by said expansive action drives the piston 5, plate 7, and shaft 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3 and as soon as the piston has traveled a short distance, the incoming air or steam is cut off, for the reason that port 33 passes the port 29 as the valve 32 is rotated by the beveled gearing heretofore described. The

piston and parts connected thereto are y driven around by the expansive action of the steam or air; and, when the piston reaches the plate 12, the latter will be forced out of its position in the chamber 4 by reason of its engagement against the edge of the plate 7, which performs the function of a cam, forcing said plate outward through the groove 11; and which action, by reason of the various connecting links and levers, comprises the spring 21 so that as soon as the piston 5 passes the end of the plate 12, said plate is instantly forced forward into the chamber 4. The expanded steam in front of the piston 5 exhausts through port 51 and exhaust valve 50, which is open, and from thence said exhaust steam passes into the chamber 16 and discharges therefrom through the pipe 16a.

.The gearing, comprising the beveled pinions 37, 43, and 46 drives the rotary valve 32 at the same speed as the shaft 8 and, therefore, live steam or air is allowed to discharge into the chamber 4 at the proper time, by reason of the position of the groove 33 in said rotary valve; and the length of time duringv which said live,steam is discharged from the groove 26 to the port 29 is governed by the transverse osition of the valve, which is shifted latera ly, as desired, by means of the hand lever 42. The peculiar shape of the inlet valves 28 and 29 permit a gradual inlet of live steam to the inlet ports, and consequently to the chamber 4, which gradual increase is greatly advantageous and essential to the successful operation of the rotary engine. A

To reverse the engine, the operator, by means of the hand lever 42, shifts the rotary valve 32 longitudinally so as to bring the groove 33 into position to establish communication between the groove 26 and ports 28 and 30; and the live steam or air is now discharged from the port 30 into the chamber 4 roo below the plate 12 and when this reverse action takes place, the positions of the exhaust valves 47 and 50 are reversed by manipulating the hand lever 54, which opens the valve 47 and closes the valve 50, and the exhaust steam is now conveyed through the valve 47 to the pipe 49, to the chamber 16.

A rotary engine of my improved construction is very simple, can be readily taken apart and assembled in case of repair, and is very economical in the consumption of steam or air, owing to the degree of accuracy to which the position of the inlet valve can be adjusted.

If desired, a number of the engines can be built side by side, all of the pistons being fixed on a common shaft; and where such construction is carried out, the inlet and exhaust valves can be extended through the entire set of engines.

I claim l. In a rotary engine, a housing, in which is formed an annular chamber, a shaft journaled in the housing, a plate xed on the shaft within the housing, a piston head carried by the plate and fitting within the annular chamber, there being inlet and exhaust ports formed through the housing and communicating with the annular chamber therein, a rotary valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the inlet ports of the engine, a sleeve in which the rotary valve operates, and there being triangular ports formed in said sleeve.

2. A rotary engine, comprising a housing7 in which is formed an annular chamber, an engine shaft arranged for operation in the housing, a plate fixed therein within the housing, a piston fixed on the plate and operating in the annular chamber, there being inlet and exhaust ports formed in the housing, rotary exhaust valves arranged to control the passage of the exhaust of fluid pressure through the exhaust ports, and a rotary inlet valve for controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the inlet ports, means whereby said rotary valve is driven from the engine shaft, a sleeve in which the rotary valve operates, there being triangular ports formed in said sleeve, which ports communicate with the inlet ports in the housing, and means whereby said sleeve is adjusted to different positions.

3. A rotary engine, comprising a housing, in which is formed an annular chamber, an engine shaft arranged for operation in the housing, a plate fixed therein within the housing, a piston fixed on the plate and operating in the annular chamber, there being inlet and exhaust ports formed in the housing, rotary exhaust valves arranged to control the passage of the exhaust of fluid pressure through the exhaust ports, a rotary inlet valve for controllingl the supply of fluid pressure to the inlet ports, a sleeve in which the rotary valve operates, there being triangular openings formed in said sleeve, and which openings communicate with the inlet ports in the housing.

4. In a rotary engine, a housing in which is formed an annular chamber, a shaft journaled inthe housing, a plate xed on the shaft within the housing, a piston head carried by the plate and fitting within the annular chamber, there being inlet and exhaust ports formed through the housing and communicating with the annular chamber therein, a rotary valve controlling the supply of fluid pressure to the inlet ports in the engine, which rotary valve is driven by the engine shaft, a sleeve in which the rotary valve operates, there being triangular ports formed in said sleeve communicating with the inlet ports in the housing, and means whereby the rotary valve is shifted longitudinally in the sleeve.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM II. REECE.

Witnesses:

M. I. SMITH, E. L. WALLACE. 

